The scheduling [at Arklatex] needs LOTS of help. As I've stated before, the hours of waiting for a consultation are a problem. I know that they are trying their best, but it's super frustrating to have a 2:00pm appointment and not get seen until 5:30pm. Plus, I'm sure they are all ready to go home, too!...The IVF coordinator is Cindy. She was so sweet, answered all of my questions, returned my calls quickly, etc...

The scheduling needs LOTS of help. As I've stated before, the hours of waiting for a consultation are a problem. I know that they are trying their best, but it's super frustrating to have a 2:00pm appointment and not get seen until 5:30pm. Plus, I'm sure they are all ready to go home, too! The only other thing that I would HIGHLY recommend is that you let them drain your bladder after your transfer. Sorry if that's TMI, but trust me, you will thank me for that little tip.

During treatment, did you feel like you were treated like a number or a human?

He would call me by name, and seemed to know about my information without completely relying on looking at my chart. He may have practiced before he walked in the exam room, but he did make me feel like he at least recognized me.

Describe your experience with your nurse.

The IVF coordinator is Cindy. She was so sweet, answered all of my questions, returned my calls quickly, etc. My favorite nurse was Lauren. She did most of my blood draws and was so sweet to talk to. She answered lots of questions about how to inject meds, etc. in a way that I understood. She understood that what I was doing and the info she gave me was important, but she didn't take herself too seriously.

How was your experience with David Vandermolen?

Dr. Vandermolen was kind, but a little bit difficult to understand sometimes. He talks very fast and uses lots of big words. When I would ask him what something meant, he would explain it in almost too much detail. I appreciated that he took plenty of time with me; I never felt rushed in or out of his office. However, we would wait 2-3 hours for a consultation. This was very frustrating, but I would remind myself (and my husband) that he takes plenty of time with us, and we want the same for other couples. I wish there was a better way to schedule for consults. Waiting for regular monitoring appointments during IUI or IVF cycles weren't so bad...maybe 45 minutes at the most? I know of several couples who had great success with Dr. V, but we just didn't. The main thing that was NOT explained to me was the egg retrieval, embryo development process. I had 17 eggs retrieved. Since we are unexplained, he said they would do ICSI on half and let the other half fertilize naturally. Of the half that were supposed to fertilize naturally, NONE of them fertilized at ALL. I wish I would have been given the option to ICSI all eggs, and I'm not sure why I wasn't? I know that he didn't want to end up with 17 embryos, but I would have liked to discuss that more. So, we ICSI'd 9...of the 9, 5 fertilized, and only 3 made it to day 3. All 3 were very weak embryos. So weak that he transferred all 3. When we got there on transfer day and he told us how weak our embryos were, my husband even asked, "is there any point in transferring if they are so weak?" to which Dr. V said "yes, we should definitely transfer...you never know what could happen once these embryos are in the womb". Fast forward, our transfer failed and we didn't have anything left to freeze. $18k down the drain. I haven't been back to see Dr. V since the consultation after the failed IVF. Bottom line...he did explain some things well, but there were other, crucial things that were not explained. If I would have had a positive pregnancy test and healthy baby as a result of that IVF, I would have been so grateful, but I would have also sighed in relief that we had a baby despite the lack of information about the most crucial part of the IVF cycle.

What one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Vandermolen?

Do your own research. Ask WHY he's recommending something. Ask if there are other options. If you're doing IVF, ask to ICSI ALL mature eggs! Be prepared to wait a LONG time when you go for your consultation.

Describe the protocols David Vandermolen used in your cycles and their degree of success.

Oh wow...I did 3 IUIs and 1 IVF cycle. When we first met with him, he said we could skip the IUIs and go straight to IVF if we wanted to (I had done several rounds of clomid and an IUI with my OBGYN). Due to the costs, we decided to try the IUIs first. It's been a few years, so I don't remember the exact protocol of my first IUI?? I think it was clomid only, but possibly Menopur? I know that the second IUI with him, we used Menopur (1 vial per day for 8-9 days) and I'm pretty sure Novarel for trigger. The third IUI was LOTS of Menopur and Novarel for trigger. I was on 1 vial a day, then increased to 2 per day at the end. My IVF meds were Menopur, Follistim, Ganirelix, and Lupron for trigger. I was on 2-3 vials of Menopur per day, maybe 100 of Follistim, and I only took Ganirelix like twice. My memory is TERRIBLE!! I feel like this part isn't helping at all! Sorry!

Describe the costs associated with your care under David Vandermolen.

I don't remember individual costs exactly, but I want to say that the doctor portion of my IVF was around $11-12k.

8

Doctor

David Vandermolen

Communication

Trustworthiness

Compassion

Explained risks

Adaptability

Frequency seen during appointments

8

Clinic

ArkLaTex Fertility and Reproductive Medicine

Shreveport

Nursing

Operations

Scheduling

Billing

Clinic Atmosphere

Educational Resources

– Read less

5

Age

30 - 32

Treated

2014 - 2016

Success with this Doc

No

Treatment

9 IUI, 2 IVF

Diagnosis

Endometriosis, Tubal Blockage

5

Lori Fellah [a nurse] was relaxed and friendly. I got annoyed at a few minor overlooks ( for instance, incorrect amount of Doxycycline ordered and I ran out of medications-but she was eager to correct overlooks); there was an error on the IVF schedule with conflicting directions which she clarified via email. I think she could have been more organized and willing to prevent these same mistakes from recurring. She was new to the IVF as a full-term nurse, however, so I gave her a lot of slack.

Strengths: Friendly staff, Organized, Efficient, RE does spend time with you in his office laying out details and effectively communicating
Weaknesses: Disorganized with finances/billing information; No "IVF classes" offered, no resources for emotional support offered ( such as counseling hotlines, counselors, support groups, etc)

During treatment, did you feel like you were treated like a number or a human?

For the most part I did feel like a human. They are a friendly staff. There was overturn with the fertility nurse during my treatments, and some appointments felt very rushed and there were a few things overlooked at times. SO some days I did feel like a number too, now that I reflect back on it.

Describe your experience with your nurse.

Lori Fellah was relaxed and friendly. I got annoyed at a few minor overlooks ( for instance, incorrect amount of Doxycycline ordered and I ran out of medications-but she was eager to correct overlooks); there was an error on the IVF schedule with conflicting directions which she clarified via email. I think she could have been more organized and willing to prevent these same mistakes from recurring. She was new to the IVF as a full-term nurse, however, so I gave her a lot of slack.

What specific things went wrong at this clinic?

Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy

Provided conflicting information

How was your experience with David Vandermolen?

Dr. Vandermolen seems like a great physician. He did take good care of me, he performed my laparoscopy and diagnosed me with endometriosis. I am glad that he pushed me to have that performed before starting IUI. He may not be quite as aggressive as I would prefer, however. But my case was a difficult on because I was a poor responder to the fertility drugs and had poor egg quality.

What one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Vandermolen?

To seek out support outside of the clinic ( counselor, social media, local support groups, etc) because infertility is so tough and that is not a topic that they really harp on (the emotional aspects.)

Describe the protocols David Vandermolen used in your cycles and their degree of success.

I never had a problem with scheduling these; and did not have to wait too long in the waiting room.

Describe the costs associated with your care under David Vandermolen.

My surgery ( laparoscopy) was about $8,000 with insurance. IUIs were about $500. IVF: all in cost about $8,000 for services. Cost of fertility drugs were $,4,392, $6,691.97, and about $5,000 for last round.

5

Doctor

David Vandermolen

Communication

Trustworthiness

Compassion

Explained risks

Adaptability

Frequency seen during appointments

5

Clinic

ArkLaTex Fertility and Reproductive Medicine

Shreveport

Nursing

Operations

Scheduling

Billing

Clinic Atmosphere

Educational Resources

– Read less

0

Age

31

Treated

2011

Success with this Doc

No

Treatment

5 IUI, 2 IVF, 1 Egg Freezing

Diagnosis

—

0

Facility was always overbooked and crowded. Had to wait sometimes 3 or more hours... Plan & medicine plan was the same for everyone. They saw all kinds of problems, not just fertility... This was also a teaching facility so the staff rotated frequently.

+ Read more

Age

31

Treated

2011

Success with this Doc

No

Race

European

Income

$50K - $99K

Occupation

—

Order & Number of Docs Seen

1st of 3 Docs

Treatment

5 IUI, 2 IVF, 1 Egg Freezing

Diagnosis

—

0

During treatment, did you feel like you were treated like a number or a human?

NUMBER. Facility was always overbooked and crowded. Had to wait sometimes 3 or more hours and then drive an hour and a half back home. Plan & medicine plan was the same for everyone. They saw all kinds of problems, not just fertility. Dr. London left while we were under Vandermolen's care.

Describe your experience with the nursing staff.

Some were very sweet and compassionate. Some were very stern and just there for a job. This was also a teaching facility so the staff rotated frequently.

What specific things went wrong at this clinic?

Failed to call with results

Provided conflicting information

How was your experience with David Vandermolen?

Being our first IVF doctor and recommended by our dear friend that is my OB, I assumed we would be treated like IVF patients. We didn't really know what to expect under their care but overall it was not pleasent. I can say that because I had to extremely different experiences. The appointment right before my retreival, I was told by the doctor that, "next time, we will change up your medicine...". That left me feeling like the whole process had already failed. I also wasn't allowed to do any monitoring at my local OBGYN and had to drive almost everyday an hour and a half away for 5 minute labs or 15 minute ultra sound. Sometimes waiting hours.

What one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Vandermolen?

To really look at all your options for care. This is a very expensive process. You want to feel most comfortable and less stressed during a stressful time. You don't just let anyone cut or color your hair or keep your child. We do more research on what TV we are going to buy.

Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments.

They wouldn't allow monitoring locally where we live even though they can do same day results on the tests/results they needed. We had to go to there facility and most appointments were first thing in the morning towards the end when you go everyday. Otherwise they are just when you can get in.

0

Doctor

David Vandermolen

Communication

Trustworthiness

Compassion

Explained risks

Adaptability

Frequency seen during appointments

0

Clinic

ArkLaTex Fertility and Reproductive Medicine

Shreveport

Nursing

Operations

Scheduling

Billing

Clinic Atmosphere

Educational Resources

– Read less

2

Age

41

Treated

2014

Success with this Doc

No

Treatment

7 IVF, 7 Embryo Freezing, Donor Sperm

Diagnosis

Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Poor Egg Quality

2

I thought the majority of the nursing staff [at ArkLaTex Fertility] were curt and uncommunicative. I especially did not like the head nurse...When I was starting a second cycle, the nurse had me on the exact same protocol, if I hadn't happened to call and get Dr. Vandermolen, I would have done the same thing. He wanted something different...You should also know that he will not do monitoring ultrasounds for outside clinics.

It is the only game in town so if you can't travel, you could certainly try him. You should also know that he will not do monitoring ultrasounds for outside clinics.

During treatment, did you feel like you were treated like a number or a human?

I felt like I was given the standard protocol. He only retrieves a few weeks out of the month and so he standardizes everyone to his schedule rather than doing what might be a different protocol for the patient. I also felt his nursing staff was very rude.

Describe your experience with the nursing staff.

I thought the majority of the nursing staff were curt and uncommunicative. I especially did not like the head nurse.

What specific things went wrong at this clinic?

Provided conflicting information

How was your experience with David Vandermolen?

I think Dr. Vandermolen is probably very smart but somewhat of a poor communicator. He also follows a standard protocol for first time patients and only adjusts after a failed cycle. I think he might be a better doctor than I think but I didn't see it.

What one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Vandermolen?

Go somewhere else.

Describe the protocols David Vandermolen used in your cycles and their degree of success.

I only remember being put on birth control pills which caused a follicle that had to be aspirated before starting stimulation meds. This had never happened on any of my other cycles with another doctor.

Describe the costs associated with your care under David Vandermolen.

Roughly $12,000

1

Doctor

David Vandermolen

Communication

Compassion

Frequency seen during appointments

2

Clinic

ArkLaTex Fertility and Reproductive Medicine

Shreveport

Nursing

Operations

Scheduling

Billing

Clinic Atmosphere

Educational Resources

– Read less

10

Age

26 - 27

Treated

2014 - 2015

Success with this Doc

Yes

Treatment

IVF

Diagnosis

Tubal Blockage, Other

10

The nursing staff [at Arklatex] was excellent. All had good communications, would answer any and all question, and we're always happy to see you.

+ Read more

Age

26 - 27

Treated

2014 - 2015

Success with this Doc

Yes

Race

Other

Income

$100K - $199K

Occupation

—

Order & Number of Docs Seen

1 Doc Seen

Treatment

IVF

Diagnosis

Tubal Blockage, Other

10

During treatment, did you feel like you were treated like a number or a human?

While under the care of Dr. Vandermolen, I honestly felt more of a friend/family type of relationship, with him as well as his staff. I became very close to several of the nurses, and still talk to them everyday!

Describe your experience with your nurse.

The nursing staff was excellent. All had good communications, would answer any and all question, and we're always happy to see you.

How was your experience with David Vandermolen?

Dr. Vandermole not is an amazing doctor! He is very informative, listens and addresses all problems/concerns/questions,

What one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Vandermolen?

Do go in with an open mind. If you are just staring your fertility journey, please listen and take his advice to heart. He will be up front and honest with any questions or concerns that you may have. Do not ever think twice about calling to ask a question, everyone is super nice and helpful. They would rather you ask than to not ask.